Duckworth, Klahn headline West Lakes field

James Duckworth and Bradley Klahn are expected to headline the Charles Sturt Adelaide International.

West Lakes SA 5021, Australia, 28 January 2014 | tennis.com.au

The second annual Charles Sturt Adelaide International will take place at West Lakes Tennis Club from 1 – 9 February 2014.

The USD$50,000 ATP Challenger level event continues to attract a strong field of Australian and international players including several who competed at the Australian Open 2014 in Melbourne over the last fortnight.

World No.93 Bradley Klahn (USA) and home grown talent world No.133 James Duckworth, who just recently faced world No.6Roger Federer in the first round of the Australian Open, are expected to headline the field.

Duckworth, who played in the main draw of all four Grand Slams last year and is currently the fifth ranked Australian player, will be looking to use West Lakes as a springboard for his 2014 campaign.

South Australia’s Alex Bolt and Luke Saville are also set to star as the field vie for valuable ATP ranking points and a large prize purse.

Saville and Bolt, who both hail from regional South Australia, are working hard to establish themselves on tour after outstanding junior results including Saville taking out the Junior Wimbledon crown in 2011 and Junior Australian Open in 2012.

Roger Rasheed, former coach of Lleyton Hewitt, Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and is currently working with world No.22Grigor Dimitrov has been named as the tournament’s official ambassador.

“It’s great to be aligned with a South Australian Challenger as I know the importance that these events play in the role of young tennis players trying to become part of the world’s best.””The other part that excited me is watching the energy that the club and support crew put into the event to ensure its success.”

“This event gives the South Australian public the chance to see world class tennis played in their own backyard,” added Ty Allen, Charles Sturt Adelaide International Tournament Director. “The West Lakes Tennis Club and the City of Charles Sturt embraced this inaugural event last year and I’m sure that the entire community will support the event once again.”

In 2013, the West Lakes Tennis Club underwent a $200,000 court redevelopment funded by the State Government, City of Charles Sturt, Tennis Australia and the club itself. The event was also nominated at last year’s Australian Tennis Awards for the Most Outstanding Tournament.

On Australia Day the Charles Sturt Adelaide International was recognised with a certificate for joint Community of the event year by the City of Charles Sturt Council.

Qualifying will start on Saturday 1 February with main draw matches commencing on Monday 3 February. Entry to the tournament is free with matches commencing at 10am daily and the final commencing on Sunday 9 February from 11am.